CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL


FRISCO, Texas – It took two overtime periods and 103 minutes of action at Toyota Stadium before it was settled, but USF advanced to the finals of the American Athletic Conference Championship with a 2-1 victory.
 
Rutgers got on the board early, scoring in the third minute. USF attempted to clear, but sophomore forward Mael Corboz fired a volley from the top of the 18-yard box. Corboz’s struck a rising shot into the top right corner of the net for his seventh goal of the season. The first shot on goal of the game gave the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 lead.
 
USF answered right back just 3:35 later. Terry Delancey sent in a through ball, and Edwim Moalasi beat two Rutgers defenders to receive the pass, dribbled around the goaltender, and put the ball into the back of the net. Moalasi’s fifth tally of the year pulled the Bulls even, equalizing the score at 1-1.
 
Rutgers goaltender David Greczek kept the Scarlet Knights in the game in the first half, making a series of excellent saves to halt the Bulls’ attack. Greczek made five saves as the Bulls controlled the play after the early action and outshot Rutgers 10-3 in the half.  
 
Rutgers had a great opportunity with 24 minutes left in the game, as a cross found Corboz alone in front of the net a clear shot from six yards out. He rocketed a shot on net, but USF goalkeeper Brentton Muhammad parried the effort over the crossbar. Muhammad’s first save of the day was crucial, as it kept the game even at 1-1.
 
Action remained even throughout regulation, and the teams headed to overtime. The Bulls outshot the Scarlet Knights 17-8 in regulation, with a 7-5 edge in the second half.
 
The game remained even through the first overtime period, but in the second overtime session, USF broke through. In the 103^rd minute of the game, Stiven Salinas controlled the ball, and sent in a shot from 22 yards out. The ball went passed the outstretched reach of Greczek into the net, and sent the Bulls bench rushing to the field in celebration of reaching the Championship Finals.
 
USF will play the winner of the second semifinal game, held between No. 2 seed UConn and No. 3 seed UCF. Sunday’s final from Toyota Stadium will begin at 1:00 p.m. Central Time, and can been seen on ESPN3 and on tape delay on ESPNU at 11:30 p.m. ET.